September 21, 2010

Congratulations to San Francisco philanthropist Mireille Schwartz who was recently was appointed to the board of directors of FAAN: The Food Allergy Anaphylaxis Network.

To celebrate Mireille’s appointment, friends and supporters gathered last week at Caldwell Snyder Gallery in downtown San Francisco. Among the guests were Joel Goodrich, Karen Tamblyn, Wilkes Bashford, and Charleston Pierce. Damion Matthews and Cameron Noble were honored with appreciation awards and Senator Mark Leno dropped in to present Mireille with a special award for all her hard works on behalf of those who suffer from food allergies. The event was hosted by Karen Caldwell and Susan Snyder.

September 17, 2010

With vintage being all the rage this season, the upcoming Vintage Fashion Expo is on everyone's mind. We can't wait to hit the San Francisco Concourse on Saturday September 18th and Sunday September 19th and start checking off our fall must-have shopping list.

September 08, 2010

Flip through this season's fashion magazines and you will see vintage silhouettes reflected in the designs of Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana, and Dries Van Noten. The July issue of Vogue featured French actress Marion Cotillard looking tres chic in 50s inspired dresses, and Elle magazine has just launched PremiumVintage, a web-video series tracking current vintage-inspired trends. None of this surprises Barbara Grigg, proprietor of the shop Vintage Vogue in Calistoga. As a dealer in authentic vintage clothing and accessories, Barbara works with Los Angeles based designers, stylists, and celebrities helping them achieve the perfect camera-ready look in vintage.

Barbara's affection for vintage began in high school in the early 1970s. This Livermore teenager stood out among the crowd sporting 40s jackets paired jeans and platform shoes. With a passion for Lilli Ann suits and everything Art Deco, she saved her pennies working as a waitress and built her collection. In the early 80s, Art Deco jeweler Gail Gum hired Barbara as a picker (one who scouts out prize pieces at thrift stores and garage sales). Before long, Gail told Barbara she had an eye and should start her own business. "So I did," says the spirited redhead, "and I've never looked back."

August 31, 2010

"Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!" Jay Gatsby, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Repeating the past is what it's all about for the enthusiastic attendees of the Gatsby Summer Afternoon, coming up on Sunday, September 12th at the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate in the Oakland Hills. This annual event is sponsored by the Art Deco Society of California and is in its 26th year.

Several hundred people each year gather on the lovely front lawns of Dunsmuir Hellman House and recreate the 1920s by dressing the part and setting up picnic sites. Adding to the ambiance are classic cars and live jazz music. Some people take months to plan elaborate table decorations including china and crystal champagne flutes while others go simple with a blanket and tea sandwiches. Everyone is encouraged to use vintage furnishings, keeping the day as authentic as possible. For those new to the concept, The Art Deco Society provides a detailed guide on their website offering tips from food to fashion.

August 16, 2010

There's no denying that San Francisco's First Lady, Jennifer Siebel Newsom has beautiful and seemingly flawless skin. Would you like to know her secret? Ms. Siebel Newsom is happy to share and did so on July 14th at Hotel Vitale where guests gathered to view her premiere commercial spot for Juice Beauty, an organic skincare line.

Ms. Siebel Newsom has long been an advocate for green causes and after becoming a mother last year, she was alerted to the importance of using pure products on her daughter and herself. "I'm so excited to have found Juice Beauty," says Ms. Siebel Newsom, "and it is up to all of us to choose products that are great for us, our families and the environment."

August 12, 2010

It's Fashion on the Square, the biggest runway show on the West Coast, coming up this Saturday, August 14, noon-5pm at the Westfield Center Dome, 865 Market Street, San Francisco. Now celebrating seven years, Fashion on the Square features designers of adult and children's clothing from around the Bay Area. Show Producer Y'Anad Burrell is pleased to be back for another year, "We are very passionate about keeping fashion alive in San Francisco," says Y'Anad, "and felt committed to making sure we contributed to that effort."

Don't miss this opportunity to view the unique fashions of ten designers and see in the flesh show hosts Bre from America's Next Top Model and Project Runway's Jay Nicolas Sario. It's all happening at Fashion on the Square.

August 11, 2010

This year’s American Craft Council show, August 13-15, marks the group’s 35th year showing in the Bay Area and to celebrate, they’re shaking things up. In addition to showcasing 250 of the best artisans in the country, the ACC is offering AltCraft – 14 local and visiting artists who create one-of-a-kind objects often made from recycled materials and including jewelry, clothing, hats, shoes, lamps, and greeting cards. Among the chosen is Oakland artist Susan Eastman.

Susan is right on trend with her colorful silk scarves. In the SF Bay Area, scarves are a year round accessory and we ladies can never have too many. Susan hand sews and dyes her richly-colored scarves and she sometimes incorporates pieces of vintage fabric. She finds inspiration everywhere. “I am constantly intrigued by the possibilities of color, texture and form,” says Susan. “I’m usually thrilled by peeling paint or old walls or billboards, rust, grease, graffiti – it all interests me.”

August 06, 2010

It’s rare that a clothing
line that’s not nationally known that can translate well to several different
cities.

Well, maybe we should
say that those clothing lines might not be nationally known now, but soon could
be.

Lauren Nevada, a line
from Brooklyn-based designer Lauren Nevada Batchelder, is currently being sold
in Barneys in several different cities, including New York, Chicago, Los
Angeles and our very own San Francisco. How is Batchelder able to design a line
that sells in cities that are very different from each other, especially when
it comes to fashion?

August 05, 2010

Readers, save the date: The Vintage Clothing & Style Festival is coming up Saturday evening, August 14 and Sunday, August 15 at the Elks Lodge in Alameda. Last year’s premiere event was a big success and this year promises even more vintage fun.

What’s new this time are themes. Saturday evening has two – lingerie and Gatsby. Co-producer Kimberly Manning Aker has organized vignettes with models donning lovely vintage lingerie. “Bring your husbands,” suggests Kimberly. In anticipation of the upcoming Art Deco Society's Gatsby Summer Afternoon, the ADSC will give a presentation, Getting Ready for Gatsby, offering tips on the best places to shop for appropriate gear, how to put together outfits, and how to arrange a picnic site. This in-depth presentation is guaranteed to inform and inspire.

July 13, 2010

As part of their Go Forth marketing campaign, Levi's invites you to get to work with their series of print workshops happening now through August 28th. Located in a pop-up storefront in San Francisco's Mission district, the workshops offer opportunities for visitors to use old-school printing presses, create zines, design t-shirts, and talk with local print artists.

Book artist and printer Taylor Reid works at Center for the Book and was hired by Levi's to demonstrate one of the on-site presses. She thinks these workshops are a great opportunity for the community. "I've noticed a growing appreciation for hand letter press," she comments. "It's not often people get to see printing in progress and do it themselves."

June 26, 2010

The Art Institute of California had much to be proud of last Saturday evening at their annual fashion show held in the spacious San Francisco Design Center Galleria. Twenty fashion design students showed their wares to an enthusiastic crowd, which included Oakland Museum of California's Marketing Manager Adam Rozan, Rock and Roll designer Jeanne Rose, and stylist Tyese Cooper. Art Institute faculty member Amy Kweskin was seated in the front row cheering on her students as was Fashion on the Square Producer Y'Anad Burelle, seeking talent for her upcoming show on August 14th.

Showing muted colors and layers, students were inspired by San Francisco's diverse neighborhoods from Union Square to The Haight. Exposed zippers were a theme as were corset style tops, harem pants, super short skirts, and playful patch pockets. The look for men was comfortable in loose knits, shorts, and layers.

June 22, 2010

Installations by four top California artists - Tanya Aguiniga, Paul Hayes, Thomas Hill, and Christine Lee. Using paper, fiber, metal, and wood these artists have created unique visual experiences that prompt viewers to rethink the uses of everyday materials.

June 18, 2010

How do you put a fresh spin on a San Francisco favorite? Add a splash of Parisian glamour and mix in some haute couture. Teatro ZinZanni, the long-running production now in its tenth year, livens up the show with a fashionable twist guaranteed to appeal to fashionistas and style novices alike.

“Love, Chaos & Couture: All Dressed up With Someplace To Go” is a limited engagement, high-fashion themed performance running from now until August 15that the storied ZinZanni cabaret tent, located at Pier 29 along San Francisco’s Embarcadero. The show stars beloved cast favorites Liliane Montevecchi and Frank Ferrante as fashion-obsessed former lovers reunited in the City by the Bay.

May 28, 2010

Looking for a "just-right" pastry for your sweet tooth? I suggest you try Paulette Macaron. Paulette brings the element of haute couture in fashion into desserts with Haute Patisserie. The whole business is stylish from all aspects: packaging, website, store design, and of course, the macarons.

Paulette Koumetz collaborated with Christophe Michalak to bring Paulette Macarons. Christophe is a renowned French pastry chef further recognized by the fact he was a 2005 winner of the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie (the World Pastry Cup).

Each macaron is designed inside and out. Not only are they soft and fluffy, and made with just the right amount of sweetness and texture, but Paulette's has even gone as far as being a certified Kosher dairy product.

It was a rockin’ time last Thursday evening for the attendees of the multimedia panel, Stylin’: Bay Area Rock Fashion 1963-73 at San Francisco’s Museum of Performance & Design. Designer Jeanne Rose, boutique owner Helene Robertson, and musicians Peter Kaukonen and George Hunter each spoke about their personal experiences with 60s fashions influenced by Rock and Roll music and the youth culture in San Francisco.

The multimedia panel was a special event in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibition, Somethin’s Happening Here: Bay Area Rock ‘n’ Roll 1963-1973. Attendees, outfitted in their finest retro duds, perused the exhibit which includes stage costumes worn by Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, Sly Stone and Peter Albin as well as photos, posters, and other artifacts from the era. Moderated by exhibition co-curator Melissa Leventon, the lively discussion provided a glimpse into the importance of clothing in the San Francisco rock music scene.

May 12, 2010

It is good to know I’m not a tramp, as confirmed by Derek Blasberg, New York City’s favorite guy-about-town and author of Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady. At his recent San Francisco book launch party co-hosted by model Maggie Rizer and Gilt Groupe, Mr. Blasberg briefly addressed the crowd saying there was not a tramp to be found among us, “… so give my book to your trampy friends.”

Tramp or not, there’s something to learn from Mr. Blasberg’s primer on how to be a lady. A fashion reporter and NYC society party-hopper, Mr. Blasberg has observed many a faux pas, including the certain trend among young women to go bare under their skirts. (Oh dear, I have nightmares about that.) With his mid-western sensibilities and good manners he has taken on the tramps, determined to help them change their ways. In his book marketed to young adults, Mr. Blasberg offers advice on how to be a lady in every possible situation from traveling to hosting a party to falling in love. He also offers tips in how to dress like a lady; BTW, undergarments are a must.

May 11, 2010

An excited crowd recently gathered at the Barry Barsamian Hollywood Legends Exhibitin the Metreon waiting for the arrival of movie star Tippi Hedren. Known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic films The Birds and Marnie, Ms. Hedren has more recently turned her attentions to animal rights legislation and her wild cat sanctuary, Shambala.

Local notables such as Wilkes Bashford, Natalie Wood’s older sister, Olga and Kathy Garver (co-star in the 60s television show Family Affair) were among the crowd of 100 who toured the exhibit while enjoying champagne. Ms. Hedren arrived donning a long black gown with a short Edith Head jacket accessorized with a birds-in-flight brooch made of seed pearls set in gold. Petite and still a stunner, Ms. Hedren addressed the crowd sharing stories of how she was cast in The Birds and her passion for wild animals.

April 27, 2010

The 4Cs of diamonds were drilled in my head during school: Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat. The 5th C when it comes to diamonds on my list is Cartier. Now showing through May 9th at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco is Cartier and America. If you want a little extra twinkle in your eye, put this show on your must-see list. I wandered in amazement through the museum taking in every gorgeous gem accompanied by the audio tour. Make sure to allow yourself enough time to see the entire exhibit since the collection is vast and extremely diverse.

On display are sketches from the design process showing different jeweled options for clients and the multiple edits required to create the perfect piece. During a video presentation showing the making of a necklace, a young patron exclaimed "It takes all that work for just one piece of that necklace? That must be expensive!"

April 26, 2010

One of the most popular Bay Area fashion events of the year, Discarded to Divine is coming up this Thursday, April 29 at Saint Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco. Guest designer is Project Runway contestant, Jay Nicolas Sario.

A major fundraiser for the San Francisco St. Vincent De Paul, Discarded to Divine invites local designers and fashion design students to reconstruct discarded clothing into one-of-a-kind pieces for fashion and home decor worthy of bringing in big bucks. This year's lineup of designers includes East Bay artist Anandamayi Arnold. Ms. Arnold usually works with paper, creating paper dresses and small paper sculptures available in the Berkeley store, Tail of the Yak. For this year's Discarded to Divine, Ms. Arnold is working with her mother, a professional dressmaker. The mother-daughter team are keeping their design top secret until the day of the event, but word is it will include handmade ribbon pansies.

Discarded to Divine, Thursday April 29, Saint Mary's Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street, SF. VIP reception at 5pm. General reception and silent auction at 6pm. Live auction and runway show at 8pm. For more information call 415-977-1270.